Christmas Eve Traditions

It may seem like we're a "young" family but we've already started our traditions!  One of them is getting new Christmas PJ's to wear on Christmas Eve.  

Ty & Corb opening up their new jammies on Christmas Eve.

Showing off their new "digs!"

Tyler and I always make cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve.  This year we ran into a little bit of trouble though...our oven broke while we were baking the first batch! (so my luck!). Tyler was really upset that Santa wouldn't have any treats from her so she decided to leave him her gingerbread house instead, with a note saying that it was okay for him to eat it.   

Whoa!!!  Santa was hungry!!!!

Tyler and Eric try to wait up for Santa.....or should I say, pretend to be asleep?  

"He knows when you are sleeping, he knows when you're awake!"

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!!!!!

We can't believe it!!!

It's snowing in Vegas, Baby!!!

We're working on the snowman!


Oh, she's been dying to make a snow angel....wish come true!!!!

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree!

We LOVE  this time of year!  

Ty & Corb at the Christmas tree lot...so ready for this!

Tyler playing Santa!

Ty & Corb in their new PJ's & reindeer ears!

Snuggling with Daddy

Our Christmas tree!

Las Vegas Marathon - Boston Here I Come!

Yesterday I ran the Las Vegas Marathon and it was AWESOME!  The course was really cool, we started at Mandalay Bay with fireworks and ran down the entire strip.  We did run in the seedy parts of North Las Vegas but with spectators cheering us on the entire 26.2 miles.  I was able to shave off 19 minutes from my finishing time at the St. George Marathon in October.  I finished in 3 hrs 36 min 53 sec, which qualifies me to run Boston in April, so exciting! Out of 3,517 total marathon finishers, I placed 408 overall, 52nd woman overall and 24th woman in my age group!  

My friend Casey ran the half and blew away her goal of finishing in under 2 hours, way to go Case! You rock! I'm so glad we got to go together! Thanks to Jill, Chet, Aidan and Abbey for being there to cheer me on, bells and all.  Even though I didn't see you when I ran by, I heard you in my heart! (:  It really meant a lot!

My biggest thanks go out to Eric, I COULD NOT have done it without his support and encouragement, really!  THANK YOU, We're going to Boston, baby!

How Many Days Till Christmas?

Tyler decorated her own Christmas tree in her room today.  I wonder how many times I will be asked how many days till Christmas?

Thanksgiving Prayer

Our Thanksgiving was so low-key and relaxing.  It was just the four of us but I still made a great big home cooked meal from scratch (probably too big, but so yummy!).  This year we were all thankful to be together and that Eric was able to stay home all week!

Corbin has become obsessed with praying.  He wants to pray all the time - not only before we eat and go to bed, but also when we're getting dressed, shopping, playing, changing his diaper, whenever!  Out of nowhere, he'll fold his hands and say "Pay, pay!" Of course he's not able to say the prayer himself yet so Eric or I will lead the prayer while he folds his hands and listens quietly.  I love it!   

Yummy, Pumpkin Pie!!!!

Halloween

Halloween is such a fun time for our whole family.  This year we did a "spooky" theme although when it was time to dress up, Corbin didn't want to wear his "Skele-Bones" costume.  But he still went trick-or-treating and got his fair share of the loot!

Pumpkin Patch

I know it seems weird that there would be a "Pumpkin Patch" in Las Vegas but we found one!  (Oh yeah, did I mention that it's in a casino parking lot?)

Corbin's "Big Boy" bed

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the lord my son stays in his bed at night!

Camping

We "tented" it!  I was so worried this was going to be a bad idea but to my surprise our camping trip to Sand Hallow in Utah was perfect!  

This was Corbin's first camping trip and he loved every minute of it!  He played in the dirt for hours! 

Tyler enjoyed herself too!  She finally has a playmate to camp with.

 

Whoa!  Crawdads!

Mt. Charleston

Mt. Charleston is just a short drive from Vegas but such a huge relief from the heat!  This is the second year we've returned to a meadow we found that's perfect for picnicking & exploring.

What Happens In Vegas Stays In Vegas

Oh what a night!  

Me & Eric with Karl & Karen before too much booze....

Me & my sister Yvonne at the Foundation Room, top of Mandalay Bay.

Me & Eric at Foundation Room

View from Foundation Room

The "Girls" after too much booze!

And the "Guys" after too much booze!

Lake of the Ozarks

The kids and I had the time of our lives at the lake!  We even extended our trip by a week!  Thanks for having us Grams & Poppy, you're the best!

Rockstar

This girl LOVES to rock out!

Eric's New Toy

And he says I'M spoiled!